Moistening device



(No Model.)

J. B. SWORD. MOISTENING DEVICE.

No. 425,834. Y Patented'Apr. 15. 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. SWORD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MOISTENING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,834, dated April 15, 1890.

Application filed April 29, 1887. fierial No. 236,547. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMEs B. SWORD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a certain Improved Moistening Device, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of certain improvements in the moistening device for which Letters Patent were granted to me February 13, 1883, and numbered 272,350.

The object of my present invention is to simplify and improve the construction of the device and make it in a convenient and inexpensive form for not only moistening gummed papers, but for use as a pen-wiper, and to take the place of the usual sponge-cup used by bank tellers, cashiers, and others.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved moistener, showing the parts separated. Fig. 2 is a sectional view, drawn to a larger scale, with the lid removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the device in the form of a pen-wiper, the cap or lid being raised. Fig. 4: is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the device in the form of a linger-moistener. Fig. 5 is a View of a modified form of fingerdampener; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of another modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, A is the open water-reservoir, which reservoir may be of any suitable material, but is preferably made of ornamented glass and of the cylindrical form illustrated.

The box or cup B, containing the absorbent material, is adapted to rest on the top of this reservoir and is so constructed as to have a pendent leg of the absorbent substance extending down into the reservoir nearly to the bottom. By this means a moistening-surface equal to the diameter of the water-reservoir is obtainable, while a comparatively small portion of the water-space is taken up by the absorbent material, and the reservoir will need replenishing only at comparatively long intervals.

In practice I prefer to make the box or cup B for the absorbent material of sheet metal, the upper part being in the form of a flanged disk resting on the top or mouth of the reservoir and having a central pendent tubular extension D, which extends nearly tothe botent cotton.

of water.

tom of the reservoir and is open at or near its lower end. I11 the present instance the tube has an opening 6 at the bottom formed by the inward flange cl 011 the end of the tube. Into the cup or box B thus formed by the flanged disk and its pendent tube is placed the absorbent material F, preferably absorb- Over the surface of this absorbent substance I place a layer or disk G, of fabric or other suitable material, preferably a fabric composed of cotton and wool. For convenience an outer sheet or layer of textile material is placed above this to form the moisteningsurface H, and both layers are held in place, and in turn hold the absorbent cotton in place, by being inserted at their peripheries under the flange b of the containing cup or box B. By preference the absorbent material is made to protrude from the bottom of the tube D, so as to facilitate the absorption of the water by the whole mass. The textile surface II will always have sufficient moisture to enable such articles as stamps, gummed envelopes, and the like to be readily moistened, and this will continue until the reservoir is almost entirely emptied It can then be conveniently refilled by simply lifting off the box or cup B.

A suitable lid I may be employed to cover the moistener, so as to prevent evaporation when the device is not in use.

The pendent leg of the absorbent material for the cup or box B may be formed without the tubular extensionD of the said box by simply dispensing with said tube and allowing the absorbent material alone to hang down through an opening in the disk portion of the cup or box, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the moistening-surface is composed preferably of plush H, which takes up the moisture from the cotton and thus forms a very efficient pen-wiper. When the plush surface becomes clogged with ink and dirt it can be readily washed off.

The construction shown in Fig. 4 is intended for moistening the finger-tips, for the use of bank tellers, cashiers, and others. Over the absorbent material in this case is placed an elastic hemispherical enlargement adapted to be grasped by the tips of the finners t0 moisten the latter, in the same way as the ordinary sponge-Inoistener is grasped. This enlargement in the present instance consists of a hollow rubber hemisphere K, se-

cured at its margin in any suita 1e way to a plate J, adapted to fit under the flange b of the cup or box. Both plate and hemisphere are perforated; the former at j and the latter at k, for the passage of the absorbent material and moisture, the interior of the hemisphere being filled wit-l1 absorbent material and there being also a layer of it outside the rubber, as shown.

The rubber and cotton are inclosed in a covering L, preferably of cotton and wool, which may be secured to the rubber at its edge. Over this again is placed an outside textile layer M, which forms the moisteningsurface, and at its margin is passed around and secured to the disk or plate J, so as to hold the whole together. The margin of the disk or plate J fits under the flange b of the cup or box B.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the absorbent material passes through openings at the margin of the plate J instead of at the center thereof. In this case the exterior moistening-surface M is shown as of plush or similar material.

It will be observed that in all cases the cup or box of absorbent material is always readily removable from the reservoir, and that the covers for the absorbent material and the absorbent material itself are also readily removable from the cup or box. 1

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the water-reservoir and the cup to contain absorbent material, and having a pendent leg and flanged edge, under which said absorbent material and its inclosing-cover extend, but from which they are removable, asset forth.

2. The combination of the water-reservoir and cup to contain absorbent material, having a pendent leg, with a perforated disk. in the said cup and through which the absorbent material passes, substantially as specified.

3. ,A moistening device consisting of a water-reservoir and a cup containing absorbent material, having a pendent leg and plush moistening= surface, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES B. SWORD.

Witnesses:

HENRY Howson, HARRY SMITH. 

